Unpopular Gov. Paul LePage continues to demonstrate that he is "unique" even among other right-wing Republican governors.
Today, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, another endangered Republican, became the latest governor to expand access to health care for low-income families through the Affordable Care Act.
"Everyday that Maine waits to provide access to health care for nearly 70,000 people -- including 3,000 veterans -- lives are put at risk and money is lost. We shouldn't wait another day," U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said. "Republican governors from around the country, including Gov. Christie and now Gov. Corbett, aren't letting politics stand in the way of helping the people in their state. But in Maine, Gov. LePage has vetoed bipartisan efforts to expand access to health care. It's wrong."
Along with New Jersey and now Pennsylvania, 26 other states and the District of Columbia have expanded access to health care through Medicaid for low-income residents.
"Making sure that working families can see a doctor when they're sick shouldn't be a partisan issue, and if elected I'll work with Democrats and Republicans to make sure it isn't," Michaud said. "Expanding access to health care isn't just the morally right thing to do, it's the right thing to do for our economy."
In addition to providing health care to thousands of families, expanding access to health care will also create more than 3,000 jobs. By refusing to expand, Gov. LePage has so far cost Maine more than $221 million, according to the Cover Maine Now! Coalition.
A July story from Forbes says that more trouble is ahead for states that refuse to expand Medicaid.
Quoting a study by Fitch Ratings, Forbes reported: "We expect providers in states that have chosen not to participate in expanded Medicaid eligibility to face increasing financial challenges in 2014 and beyond," Fitch said in its July 16 report. "Nonprofit hospitals and healthcare systems in states that have expanded their Medicaid coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have begun to realize the benefit from increased insurance coverage."